Drug cartels have developed innovative methods to transport cocaine to Europe, concealing the substance within shipments of fruit juice and spices. This was disclosed on October 25 by Holger Munch, head of Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Department (BKA), during a presentation of a new report on organized crime activities.
Munch stated that criminal groups have increasingly employed chemical processes to integrate cocaine into export goods such as spices, fruit juices, or plastics transported from South America to Europe. “In recent years, we have observed organized criminal networks using these techniques,” he said, citing reports from the Bild newspaper. The drug is hidden in a manner that evades detection during port and airport inspections. Subsequently, cocaine is extracted from mixtures in illegal laboratories located in industrial zones. Additionally, smugglers have expanded their methods beyond traditional sea routes, now utilizing mini-submarines, high-speed inflatable boats, and specialized “capsules” for underwater drug transport.
According to data cited by Bild, smuggling routes have shifted from Belgium and the Netherlands to Spain and France in recent years. Meanwhile, authorities in Hamburg seized over 400 kg of cocaine in late September from two couriers in the city’s port, with police discovering the substance in sports bags during a vehicle search.
